Use VLC’s web interface as a remote control to control the stream from elsewhere. Bear in mind that you may not have the bandwidth to stream high-definition videos over the Internet, though
VLC includes a fairly easy-to-use streaming feature that can stream music and videos over a local network or the Internet. You can tune into the stream using VLC or other media players.
Broadcasting a Stream
To start broadcasting a network stream, click the Media menu (or use Shortcut Keys Ctrl + S) in VLC and select Stream.
In the Open Media dialog, select the media you want to stream. You can select one or more files on the Files tab, select a CD or DVD on the Disc tab, or even capture video from a specific device on the Capture Device tab. For example, you could stream your desktop by selecting Desktop on the Capture Device tab.
Click the Stream button after selecting your media.
The Stream Output window will appear. The first pane just lists the media source you selected. For demo purposes we use the Windows demo video Wildlife.wmv
click Next to continue.
On the Destination Setup pane, you’ll need to choose a (transport protocol) destination for your stream. For example, you can select HTTP to listen for connections – other computers can connect to your computer and watch the stream. You can also select UDP to broadcast to a specific IP address or range of IP addresses.
After selecting your destination, click the Add button. You may also want to activate the Display locally check box – if you do, you’ll see and hear the media being streamed on your local computer, so you’ll know it’s playing correctly.
Ater adding a destination, you’ll be able to customize its settings.
With the HTTP destination, you could specify a custom path – but the default one will work fine.
Transcoding Options
You can also tweak the transcoding settings – by transcoding to a lower quality, VLC can save network bandwidth.
You set here: 1. Encaptulation, 2. Video Codec, 3. Audio Codec, 4. Subtitles
Click Next to continue to the Option Setup pane – you probably don’t need to tweak any of the advanced options here.
To start streaming, click the Stream button
If you selected the Display locally option, the media will start playing locally on your computer.
If you have a firewall enabled, ensure that VLC is an allowed program or no computers will be able to connect. If you’re trying to stream over the Internet, you may also need to forward ports on your router.
Connecting to a Stream
To tune in to a stream, click the Media menu in VLC on another computer and select Open Network Stream.
Assuming you used HTTP, enter an address like
(If you specified a custom path for your HTTP stream in the Path box, you’ll need to specify the custom path here. For example, if you specified /path as your custom path, you’d enter
After clicking Play, the stream should start playing. To control playback remotely, try setting up VLC’s web interface. If you encounter an error, make sure VLC isn’t being blocked by a firewall on the streaming system.
VLC includes a fairly easy-to-use streaming feature that can stream music and videos over a local network or the Internet. You can tune into the stream using VLC or other media players.
Broadcasting a Stream
To start broadcasting a network stream, click the Media menu (or use Shortcut Keys Ctrl + S) in VLC and select Stream.
In the Open Media dialog, select the media you want to stream. You can select one or more files on the Files tab, select a CD or DVD on the Disc tab, or even capture video from a specific device on the Capture Device tab. For example, you could stream your desktop by selecting Desktop on the Capture Device tab.
Click the Stream button after selecting your media.
The Stream Output window will appear. The first pane just lists the media source you selected. For demo purposes we use the Windows demo video Wildlife.wmv
click Next to continue.
On the Destination Setup pane, you’ll need to choose a (transport protocol) destination for your stream. For example, you can select HTTP to listen for connections – other computers can connect to your computer and watch the stream. You can also select UDP to broadcast to a specific IP address or range of IP addresses.
After selecting your destination, click the Add button. You may also want to activate the Display locally check box – if you do, you’ll see and hear the media being streamed on your local computer, so you’ll know it’s playing correctly.
Ater adding a destination, you’ll be able to customize its settings.
With the HTTP destination, you could specify a custom path – but the default one will work fine.
Transcoding Options
You can also tweak the transcoding settings – by transcoding to a lower quality, VLC can save network bandwidth.
You set here: 1. Encaptulation, 2. Video Codec, 3. Audio Codec, 4. Subtitles
Click Next to continue to the Option Setup pane – you probably don’t need to tweak any of the advanced options here.
To start streaming, click the Stream button
If you selected the Display locally option, the media will start playing locally on your computer.
If you have a firewall enabled, ensure that VLC is an allowed program or no computers will be able to connect. If you’re trying to stream over the Internet, you may also need to forward ports on your router.
Connecting to a Stream
To tune in to a stream, click the Media menu in VLC on another computer and select Open Network Stream.
Assuming you used HTTP, enter an address like
(If you specified a custom path for your HTTP stream in the Path box, you’ll need to specify the custom path here. For example, if you specified /path as your custom path, you’d enter
in the box here.)
After clicking Play, the stream should start playing. To control playback remotely, try setting up VLC’s web interface. If you encounter an error, make sure VLC isn’t being blocked by a firewall on the streaming system.
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